Rep. Fred Crespo

Congratulates Logan Searle on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

Commends Mayor William D. "Bill" McLeod on his 40 years of public service to the Village of Hoffman Estates. Further recognizes his commitment to the community and wishes him continued success.

Creates the Safe Patient Limits Act. Provides the maximum number of patients that may be assigned to a registered nurse in specified situations. Provides that nothing shall preclude a facility from assigning fewer patients to a registered nurse than the limits provided in Act. Provides that nothing in the Act precludes the use of patient acuity systems consistent with the Nurse Staffing by Patient Acuity Act; however, the maximum patient assignments in the Act may not be exceeded, regardless of the use and application of any patient acuity system. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall adopt rules governing the implementation and operation of the Act. Provides that all facilities shall adopt written policies and procedures for training and orientation of nursing staff and that no registered nurse shall be assigned to a nursing unit or clinical area unless that nurse has, among other things, demonstrated competence in providing care in that area. Provides that the written policies and procedures for the training and orientation of nursing staff shall require that all temporary personnel receive the same amount and type of training and orientation that is required for permanent staff. Provides that the Act's provisions are severable. House Committee Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 210 ILCS 85/10.10 225 ILCS 65/50-15.15 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Defines "registered nurse", "direct care registered professional nurse", and "rapid response team". Excludes specified facilities from the definition of "facility". Adds LTAC hospitals and ambulatory surgical treatment centers to the definition of "facility". Makes changes to the definition of "nursing care". Provides that in all units with critical care or intensive care patients, the maximum patient assignment of critical care patients to a registered nurse is 2. Provides that at least one direct care registered professional nurse shall be assigned to triage patients, shall be immediately available at all times to triage patients when they arrive in the emergency department, and shall perform triage functions only. Provides that in all units with acute rehabilitation patients the maximum patient assignment of acute rehabilitation patients to a registered nurse is 4 (rather than 3). Provides that in all units with conscious sedation patients, the maximum patient assignment of conscious sedation patients to a registered nurse is one. Provides that in all units with pediatric patients, the maximum patient assignment of pediatric patients to a registered nurse is 3 (instead of 4) and in all units with observational patients, the maximum patient assignment of observational patients to a registered nurse is 3 (instead of 4). Provides that a rapid response team nurse shall not be given direct care patient assignments while assigned as a nurse responsible for responding to a rapid response team request. Provides specified requirements for the Act's implementation by a facility. Provides that a facility shall plan for routine fluctuations in its patient census. Provides that if a health care emergency causes a change in the number of patients in a clinical care unit or patient care area, a facility must be able to demonstrate that immediate and diligent efforts were made to maintain required staffing levels. Establishes recordkeeping requirements. Provides that any method, software, or tool used to create or evaluate a staffing plan adopted by a facility shall be established in coordination with direct care registered professional nurses and shall be transparent in all respects. Requires the Department of Public Health to establish procedures to ensure that the documentation submitted is available for public inspection in its entirety. Provides specified nurse rights and protections. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that a hospital shall not mandate that a registered professional nurse delegate nursing interventions. Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Provides that the exercise of professional judgment by a direct care registered professional nurse in the performance of his or her scope of practice shall be provided in the exclusive interests of the patient. Makes other changes. Home Rule Note, House Committee Amendment No. 2 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not pre-empt home rule authority. State Mandates Fiscal Note, House Committee Amendment No. 2 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not create a State mandate. Fiscal Note, House Committee Amendment No. 2 (Dept. of Public Health) This bill would not pose any fiscal impact to the Department of Public Health.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that no procurement contract for the construction, alteration, operation, repair, maintenance, or improvement of any mass transit facility, or equipment thereof, in excess of $1,000,000 shall be awarded to or executed with any vendor that receives support from a nonmarket economy country, as defined under specified federal law. Provides that nothing in the provisions is intended to contravene any existing treaties, laws, trade agreements, or regulations of the United States or subsequent trade agreements entered into between any foreign countries and the State or the United States.

Makes application to Congress under the provisions of Article V of the Constitution of the United States for the calling of a convention of the states limited to proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government and limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government.

Amends the Consumer Installment Loan Act. Defines "title-secured loan". Provides that for title-secured loans entered into or renewed on or after the effective date of the Act: (i) a licensee shall not contract for or receive a charge exceeding 36% annual percentage rate on the unpaid balance of the amount financed for a title-secured loan; (ii) the loan contract shall provide for repayment of the principal and charges within specified maximum loan terms; (iii) upon or after default, a licensee shall not charge a borrower any finance charges, interest, fees, or charges of any kind; and (iv) the loan may be refinanced if the original principal of the loan has been reduced by at least 60%. Provides that nothing in these provisions abrogates a borrower's right to collect any surplus arising from the sale of a motor vehicle under the Uniform Commercial Code.

Amends the Departments of State Government Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that an office of Inspector General established within a department of State government, or otherwise established in any agency under the jurisdiction of the Governor, that is in existence on the effective date of this amendatory Act, or which may be established thereafter, shall be a fully independent office with its own appropriation separate from the overall appropriation for the department in which such office is established.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Modifies provisions concerning procurement and revolving door prohibitions to include specified persons involved in the fiscal administration of State contracts. Makes other changes concerning persons subject to a specified revolving door prohibition. Effective immediately.

Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Provides that the funds transferred each month to the Grade Crossing Protection Fund may go to the maintenance of safety treatments to deter trespassing. Deletes language providing that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall not order more than $2,000,000 per year in Grade Crossing Protection Fund moneys for pedestrian walkways. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Illinois Commerce Commission, after a hearing or by stipulated agreement, to authorize and order the terms of installation, operation, maintenance, and use of safety treatments requested by a public authority or rail carrier to deter trespassing on railroad property at a place other than a public crossing.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the Protection and Advocacy System for the State of Illinois, Equip for Equality, shall expand its Special Education Rights Clinic and Parent Helpline. Provides that the Special Education Rights Clinic shall partner with the State Board of Education to ensure that its materials for parents are visible and accessible locally, engage in rights training, and provide parents with information and strategies to resolve problems themselves through its parent helpline. Provides that Equip for Equality shall work in partnership with the State Board to ensure that all parents are able to learn about and have access to specified resources. Provides for an annual report. Provides findings provisions. Effective immediately.